Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I have 1/2 year to year old snapper that has started changing over the fall. I kept her outside untill it got too cold, and now she's living in the basement w/ minnows, a filter, and heat lamp. The thing is, now she is far more secretive and I never see her eat. She hasn't eaten any of the minnows and unless the fecal matter is getting picked up from the filter, she isn't really pooing. When I used to feed her, I could more or less hand feed her worms and pellets but now she's far more different. Is it possible that she's trying to hibernate and I need to raise the temp? I only have one bulb thats I believe a 50 watt. I don't think she's dying because she has been surviving like this for a month, but I don't know what to do!

Put in a submersible heater and get the water temperature in the 80*-82* range, an over head light isn't even really necessary since snapper's usually don't bask. A over head light is mainly for you to view the turtle in its tank. Your turtle may even feel over exposed if you have it in an all glass tank and is hiding for his own security. Jack

Thanks,

That seems to be the answer because it would explain practically everything. However, do I need a certain type of covering to make sure that she doesn't burn herself on it, or do they usually come with that? (sorry this is my first fully aquatic herp)

good question. i've never had mine get burned while climbing on a heater but it could happen i quess. some people partion of the heater with plastic mesh material. when they get bigger they can crunch through a heater. not good.

i use a piece of PVC to protect my filter/heater. you can drill holes to get water circulation, but it's difficult for my snapper to hurt himself.

Thanks, she's not really that big yet and she never ever goes near the filter so for now it should be fine.

i agree. you need to either warm it up so the turtle can digest its food properly or let him hibernate(brumate). an in between temp could cause him to get sick.

My turtle is doing the SAME exact thing! He's a year old this August, and stopped eating and moving around about a week ago. No stools, no fish, nothing. He finally ate some fish yesterday, and took pellets today. Still no stool, though. My slider did this too, changing from outside to in. I wouldn't worry too much, but keep an eye on him. He'll probably come out of it soon. I only have a UVA/UVB bulb over him, but not directly. I have a fireplace nearby so I don't use a heater.

I think turtles are pretty keen on the seasons and any temperature change around this time just makes them think it's time to hibernate. I have noticed mine have slowed down their eating even though they live indoors year round and have a pretty constant temperature of 81-82 degrees.

Actually it's pretty normal behavior when you think about it. I cool all my turtles down except for hatchlings. Just make sure they haven't eaten in two weeks or so and put them in a small container somewheres where the temps are below 55 or so and leave them that way until mid Feb. It works great and they will be ready to eat when you warm them up.

Yeah Thanks guys it's a lot of help,

I normally wouldn't be concerned because my turtle is from the stream around my house and she would have had to go through a
Chicago Winter! But she's only a year so I'm more concerned for she might be more delicate. And as another replyer said, I never see her stool even though I think she eats because she isn't thin. Is it possible it's not warm enough for her to digest and it's rotting? I doubt it, even in the summer, Chicago streams stay pretty cold.